Manchester City cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals for the seventh consecutive season with a 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday in their last-16 second leg.

The result wrapped up a 6-2 aggregate triumph for the hosts at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City, who started the game with a two-goal cushion, took care of business early with first-half goals by Manuel Akanji, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland.

With a trip to Liverpool in a top-of-the-table Premier League clash to come on Sunday, manager Pep Guardiola had the luxury of resting key players including Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden.

He made seven changes to his side that beat Manchester United 3-1 in last Sunday’s league derby.

“Today, I need energy, fresh legs,” Guardiola said. “I know how tired, exhausted some of my players were today … We play on Sunday. So I need fresh legs.”

Manchester City are a point behind Liverpool and a point ahead of Arsenal after 27 league games in a tight title race.

They are also in the thick of the FA Cup, with a quarter-final against Newcastle United on March 16.

“To be part of the titles, we need everyone,” Guardiola said.

“For one more year we are in the best eight teams in Europe. Incredibly happy we are still in all competitions.”

Rico Lewis had a late chance for a fourth Manchester City goal but his shot hit the bar.Manchester City joined Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain in the quarters, with the final four teams to be determined next week.

“We are a team that believes we can do it,” Guardiola said. “Listen, we’re competing with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. We don’t know who we are going to face. It’s a question of wait and see. The important thing is that seven years in a row we are here.”

Manchester City will find out their quarter-final opponents in the draw on March 15.“We feel good right now,” Mr Akanji said.

“We’re confident going into the next round. We are one of the favourites but have to prove it.”

Haaland was taken off late in the game, wrapping 18-year-old substitute Jacob Wright, who made his Champions League debut, in a hug as he left the pitch.

Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup believes City can retain their Champions League title.

“They’re going to win it, they are,” he said. “This is just a level up — in everything.

“We have played (City) two seasons in a row and Man City are getting better. They are top players, the structure they have is amazing. It is not just the technical and tactical. They work hard.”

Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, has said his suspension for dissent is “ridiculous”.

The England international believes he is being made an example in LaLiga.

Bellingham thought he had scored the winner as Madrid drew 2-2 at Valencia last weekend.

But the goal came seconds after the full-time whistle was blown by on-field referee Jesus Gil Manzano.

Los Blancos boss, Carlo Ancelotti, revealed Bellingham was sent off for yelling, “It’s a f*cking goal,” as he raced over to Manzano.

In the referee’s notes, he noted that the 20-year-old was sent off for having displayed an “aggressive attitude” towards the referee.

But speaking to reporters after drawing with RB Leipzig, Bellingham said: “I didn’t say anything offensive, I didn’t say anything different to what my team-mates said and I think that sometimes because I’m new they want to make an example of me.

“In the end I have to be responsible for my actions and I’m not proud, but I think two matches for that is a bit ridiculous, but if it’s two matches I have to take my responsibility and I’ll cheer from the stands.”

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will begin their chase for the coveted gold medal in the men’s football event at the 13th African Games against Uganda on Thursday (today).

The encounter is slated for the Ghana Sports Stadium, Legon.

South Sudan and Uganda are the other teams in Group B.

Head coach, Ladan Bosso named a 20-man squad for the event earlier this week.

Captain Daniel Bameyi, Daniel Daga and Nathaniel Nwosu are some of the old players who made the squad.

The Flying Eagles emerged as runners-up in the men’s football event at the 12th African Games held in Rabat, Morocco, in October 2019, narrowly losing to Burkina Faso in the final.

Hosts Ghana, Congo, Benin Republic and The Gambia are in Group A.

Former Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has thanked Nigerians and the sporting press for their support during his time in charge of the team.

Peseiro also tasked Nigerians to keep backing the Super Eagles no matter the circumstances.

The Portuguese quit his post last week following the expiration of his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

The 63-year-old spent 22 months in charge of the three-time African champions.

The former Saudi Arabia and Venezuela coach guided the team to second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

“I want to thank all Nigerians and the entire press for the interest, support, and encouragement given to the Super Eagles while I was their coach. I would like to ask all of you to always support your players. These athletes give their all for the Super Eagles, taking pride in representing their country. The players make sacrifices to bring you joy,” Peseiro wrote on his X handle.

“The Super Eagles deserve all your support, which will be very important for the great challenges that lie ahead.”

The NFF is yet to name a replacement for the gaffer.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham has been banned for two La Liga matches.

Bellingham has been handed the suspension, after his red card against Valencia at the weekend.

The 20-year-old was sent off after he furiously confronted referee Jesus Gil Manzano.

Manzano controversially blew for full-time seconds before Bellingham headed in what would have been a winner for Real.

The Spanish Football Federation, RFEF, competitions committee on Wednesday, has now confirmed Bellingham is banned for two matches for “attitudes of contempt or disregard towards referees, directors or sports authorities”.

It confirmed Bellingham had also been fined 600 euros (£513) with his club fined 700 euros.

Rivers United have hailed their U-17 team for emerging champions at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Premier Football youth league.

The general manager of the club, Okey Kpalukwu described the team’s success in a congratulatory message as true reflection of the club’s vision toward promoting youngsters from the grassroots.

Kpalukwu pointed out that the youngsters were poised to take football world by storm.

He assured that the 2022 NPFL champions will continue to help young players reach their full potential from the talented pool of players in the country.

Kpalukwu also commended the coaches for their strong desire to compete amongst the best in the football profession with skills and fitness in tactical acumen which paved the way for the triumph in Benin City.

Rivers United defeated Katsina United 4-2 to be crowned champions at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday.

Ikorodu City have appointed Bright Ozegbagbei, as their new head coach.

Ozegbagbei replaced Sadiq Dabiri who was recently relieved of his position.

The former assistant coach has been saddled with the responsibility of helping the team win promotion.

Ikorodu City also appointed Rasheed Bamgbose as the new assistant coach.

He was formerly on the books of Gateway United and the defunct Mountain of Fire and Miracle football club.

Both coaches have resumed their roles at the club with immediate effect.

Ikorodu City will kick-start the second stanza of the Nigeria National League with a trip to Ogbomosho against Crown FC on Saturday, (today).

France World Cup winner, Paul Pogba, has been banned from football for four years because of doping.

The punishment effectively ends Pogba’s career as the Juventus midfielder turns 31 years old in March.

Pogba, who has been suspended since last September, was tested in August and the results showed elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

The tribunal said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites”, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

Meanwhile, a second test sample has now been checked and the former Manchester United star has been handed a four-year ban, considered among the strongest possible punishments for the offence.

Mohammed Babaganaru has left his post as head coach of Nigeria Premier Football League side, Gombe United.

Babaganaru, a two-time winner of the NPFL with Kano Pillars, took the decision over poor funding of the club.

Gombe United several times arrived late for away games this season which has affected the team’s performance.

The Savannah Scorpions are currently battling with relegation following an underwhelming campaign.

Gombe United occupy 19th position on the NPFL table with 21 points from 21 matches.

Assistant coach, Alhaji Kwairanga is expected to take charge of the team for Thursday’s trip to Enyimba.

Defending champions Manchester City will face Newcastle United in the quarter-finals of this year’s Emirates FA Cup while Manchester United have been drawn in a high profile game against Liverpool.

City reached the last eight after Pep Guardiola’s side thumped Luton Town at the Kenilworth Road on Tuesday with Erling Haaland scoring five of those goals while Newcastle only managed to beat Blackburn Rovers on penalties.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Casemiro’s late header helped Manchester United overcome Nottingham Forest to reach the quarter-finals of the competition where they were finalists last season, setting up a heavy clash against Liverpool.

With a relatively young team, Jurgen Klopp’s side defeated Southampton 3-0 at Anfield on Wednesday to reach the last eight.

In the other quarter-finals matches, Chelsea, who overpowered Leeds United in a 3-2 win on Wednesday will face Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho’s Leicester City while Wolves host Coventry.

The quarterfinal matches will take place over the weekend of March 16.

Super Falcons duo, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Deborah Abiodun have celebrated the team’s win against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.

Tenerife of Spain forward, Esther Okoronkwo scored the decisive goal on 14 minutes to seal a hard-earned 1-0 victory for the hosts at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Nnadozie and Abiodun played crucial roles in the win.

The two players took to the social media to celebrate the victory.

“+ 3 CLEAN SHEET , AMAZING EFFORT FROM THE WHOLE TEAM. WE ARE SUPER FALCONS UNTO THE NEXT ROUND,” Nnadozie wrote on her X handle.

“To God be the glory. We overcame Cameroon. A solid team performance @NGSuper_Falcons. Onto the next one,” reads a short message on Abiodun’s account.

The Super Falcons will face either African champions South Africa or Tanzania in the final round.

The Banyana Banyana defeated Tanzania 3-0 in the first leg.

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, is set to miss the rest of this season, Soccernet reports.

The 30-year-old was part of the Nigerian team that lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, it has now emerged that Troost-Ekong picked up a hamstring problem during the group stages.

This led to the defender sitting out the final group game against Guinea-Bissau.

However, Troost-Ekong played on with the injury, including 120 minutes against South Africa in the semi-final.

He has now travelled to Finland to undergo surgery to repair a ruptured biceps femoris in his right leg.

Former Tottenham Hotspur star, Jamie Redknapp has blamed Chelsea defender Axel Disasi after Virgil van Dijk’s winning goal for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Redknapp said Disasi failed to deal with Van Dijk as the Netherlands defender scored a dramatic extra-time header against Chelsea to give Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium.

“Disasi is a big man and he just did not deal with him well enough. It was not incredible movement from Virgil but he just wanted it more,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“It was a good flat delivery from Tsimikas and he just wanted. That is sometimes what can happen at set-pieces. He [Van Dijk] just flicks it in and it is a great header.”

Alex Iwobi made history as the first Fulham player to score a winning goal against Manchester United at the Old Trafford since October 2003 on Saturday.

Steed Malbranque was the last Fulham player to achieve the feat.

Marco Silva’s side defeated the Red Devils 2-1 in front of a packed Old Trafford.

Iwobi’s international teammate, Calvin Bassey gave Fulham the lead five minutes after the hour mark.

Centre-back, Harry Maguire levelled scores for United in the 89th minute.

Iwobi then scored his fourth goal of the campaign deep into stoppage time to hand Fulham a precious away victory.

Atletico Madrid’s poor LaLiga run continued on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom side Almeria thanks to a brace by 19-year-old Argentine forward Luka Romero.

Angel Correa’s close-range effort in the second minute handed Atletico the lead but Romero levelled the score with a fine strike in the 27th minute.

Rodrigo de Paul put the visitors back in front with a deflected shot in the 57th minute.

But Romero fired in another equaliser into the top corner seven minutes later to earn Almeria a point.

Atletico, who have failed to win three of their last four league matches, are fourth in the standings with 52 points.

They trail third-placed Girona by four points and are three ahead Athletic Bilbao in fifth, both of whom have a game in hand.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, says England forward Phil Foden is now a world class performer in his own right.

Gifted as he is, Foden has often been overshadowed by Manchester City’s big hitters but Guardiola noted after Saturday’s win at Bournemouth that he had grown into a top player.

Foden’s ninth league goal of the season secured the unconvincing 1-0 win that pushed champions City to one point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

With Erling Haaland not back to his best after injury and playmaker Kevin de Bruyne used as a late substitute on Saturday, Foden was the spark that kept City’s bandwagon firmly on track for a fourth successive title.

The 23-year-old Foden has also contributed seven assists this season and has stepped up to be one of Manchester City’s leaders on the pitch.

“Forget about the goals – of course they are important – but do you know how he played?

“How he controlled and accelerated. He has already become a top-class football player. From a little boy, now he has already become Phil, a world class, top player.

“He’s so good. He can play everywhere, especially in the central position and play really, really good,” Guardiola told reporters.

City are now 11 games unbeaten in the league and while Liverpool and Arsenal are right with them in the title race, Guardiola’s side are showing again the ability to churn out results at the business end of the season.

They beat Brentford 1-0 in midweek and Guardiola said his squad’s durability still surprised him.

“What can I say?, The calendar is so demanding and the expectations are so high. What they have done for many years with a lot of games and many things.

“And always you believe they will fall down and won’t continue to do it – they surprise me,” he said.

Nigeria Defender, William Troost-Ekong says he would consider playing in the Saudi Arabia Professional Football League in future.

Troost-Ekong was named the Most Valuable Player, MVP, at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

The 30-year-old is said to have caught the eye of a number of clubs in the Saudi Arabian top-flight during the competition.

The centre-back is currently on the books of Greek Super League outfit, PAOK Salonica.

The former Watford player admitted he will be interested in playing in Saudi Arabia if he had the opportunity.

“I can’t tell you that now because it’s not right in front of me,” Troost-Ekong stated in an interview with CNN World Sports Amanda Davies.

“The Saudi League is something which is exciting, you saw quite a lot of the best players who were part of the AFCON have headed in that direction and are playing there.

“If that option is in front of me, then, I will have to study it a bit more and consider it.”

Asked if he would love to play alongside Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo’, he said; “Who wouldn’t? One of the best players in the world. We’ll have to see what happens but I’m happy at PAOK.”

Victor Osimhen is in the running for the UEFA Champions League Goal of the Week award.

The Nigeria international scored a superb goal in Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Barcelona at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Wednesday night.

Osimhen showed good strength to turn Inigo Martinez just inside the penalty area on an Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa through ball and fired in from 14 yards.

It was the forward’s first goal in the UEFA Champions League this season.

The 25-year-old was in action for 75 minutes in the game.

Barcelona Forward, Robert Lewandowski, PSV Eindhoven’s Donyell Malen and Porto’s Gelano are the other players in contention for the award.

Victor Osimhen is in the running for the UEFA Champions League Goal of the Week award.

The Nigeria international scored a superb goal in Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Barcelona at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Wednesday night.

Osimhen showed good strength to turn Inigo Martinez just inside the penalty area on an Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa through ball and fired in from 14 yards.